University of Mississippi Dorm Decor

Ever look at IRL dorm rooms such as this LSU dorm and wonder how’d they do that? Why can’t my college space look like that? Well, it totally can. Incoming University of Mississippi freshmen Hailey Hagemann and Sarah Harris converted their basic dorm room into a stylish rustic space.

Hailey, a pre-med biology major, and Sarah, an international studies major, were able to make their IRL dorm pure Instagram goals. It’s not-too-shabby of a space to call home either.

Luckily, the girls knew each other prior to moving in. Hailey tells Teen Vogue, “We originally met through a youth leadership board that we were honored to participate in (CREATE Northeast MS Youth Foundation). Over time we realized that we had many mutual friends and connections!”

Like other light-pink-loving college students, blush, soft whites, and gold were their go-to color choices.

The shared space between their beds is the focal point of the room.

Hailey shares, “Our handcrafted centerpiece is the storage location for our refrigerator (hidden behind the ADORABLE barn doors)! My mom had it built specifically to our measurements of the room, bed height, and refrigerator by Shane Keith. Our family friend Haley Boone distressed and stained it.”

While creating a handcrafted centerpiece sounds like the most challenging part of decorating their dorm, it was not. Hailey reveals, “The hardest obstacles we had to overcome were the move-in traffic and getting the curtains hung securely. Sarah Kathryn’s mom JJ did a lot of research and can tell you how to gorilla glue, bungee strap, and command strip anything in a dorm room.”

Truly, college traffic and parking are nightmarish, but the end results were worth it.

Most of the dorm essentials were purchased from TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Wayfair, and IKEA. The cowgirl-chic bed skirt and gold accent rug both came from Amazon.

Decorating concepts from home are what ended up being the girls’ biggest design influence. “Our inspiration for our dorm was from my room at home," Hailey says. "It is decorated in the same color scheme and similar décor. I wanted it to be a home away from home.”

Hailey continues, “Another special aspect to us is that we successfully created a beautiful room on a strict budget. We wanted a beautiful girlie/farmhouse look and [both moms] ensured us we could do it.”

“We did not hire a decorator or spend thousands and thousands on our room. Sheena (Hailey’s mom) literally was laying fabric ideas out on the floor and helping design the room in the middle of Tuesday Morning.”

Another fun tidbit for all of you aspiring IRL dorm decorators, Hailey painted all the art featured in her freshman dorm — now, that’s the perfect personal touch.